Senior/Principal Planning Consultant

Matchtech; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company seeks a skilled Senior/Principal Planning Consultant to collaborate with various stakeholders ensuring compliance with planning laws and best practices. The role involves advising clients, preparing planning appraisals, and actively contributing to project success within a supportive team environment. Opportunities for professional growth and a diverse range of projects await you.

Benefits

Opportunities for professional development

Supportive and sociable working environment

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years' experience for Senior Planner, 5 years for Consultant.
• Must be a member of the RTPI.
• Strong knowledge of UK planning legislation.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist planning advice and manage planning applications.
• Attend and lead project meetings and Planning Committees.
• Conduct site visits and keep up with planning legislation.

Skills

Research skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Planning or related discipline

Job description

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Senior/Principal Planning Consultant, buckinghamshire, england

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Client:

Location:

buckinghamshire, england, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

3f1fadf3d0cb

Job Views:

12

Posted:

22.06.2025

Expiry Date:

06.08.2025

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Job Description:

Job summary

To work closely with Directors and all planning colleagues in our two offices, developers, architects, and local authorities to ensure projects align with heritage and planning legislation, national planning policy and best practices.

Key skills required for this role

Important

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced, knowledgeable and enthusiastic planning consultant to join us. We are looking for a planner to join us at a level between Senior Planner and Principal Consultant. You will work closely with Directors and all planning colleagues in our two offices, developers, architects, and local authorities to ensure projects align with heritage and planning legislation, national planning policy and best practices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain membership of the RTPI.
• Provide specialist planning advice to clients and colleagues, ensuring compliance with planning policies and legislation.
• Advise clients on planning matters and manage subsequent planning applications and planning appeals.
• Prepare planning appraisals.
• Prepare fee estimates for approval by Principal Consultant/ Associate Director/Director.
• Recommend, instruct and manage other consultants as necessary.
• Write Planning and Appeal Statements.
• Give evidence at Hearings.
• Request assistance from Consultant/Principal Consultant/Associate/Director as required.
• Attend and lead client/consultant project meetings.
• Attend and lead meetings with Council Officers.
• Attend and present at Planning Committees as required.
• Attend public consultation events as necessary.
• Research work for others.
• Oversee work by more junior staff as requested.
• Proactively assist Associate Directors and Directors with planning and other matters as requested.
• Liaise with local planning authorities, and other stakeholders to negotiate planning matters.
• Conduct site visits and meetings.
• Keep up to date with relevant legislation, policy changes, and best practices in planning.
• Support clients through the planning process, from pre-application advice to post-consent conditions.
• Work efficiently and effectively, delegating work of an appropriate level of complexity to more junior staff to maximise cost-effectiveness and ensure more junior members of staff expand their experience.
• Proactively seek and secure new instructions from existing and new clients to the business. This will involve searching out new contacts and sources of work and devising and undertaking strategies to secure new fee-paying work, including delivering CPD to key contacts.
• Attend networking and other similar events to promote the Company and seek new leads and instructions. Consider initiatives to promote the Company and input to the wider marketing.
• Create LinkedIn content as requested to celebrate your success, the companies success for promote areas of interest to your role.
• Maintain accurate Coretime records.
• Maintain monthly and quarterly Fee Forecasting spreadsheets and quarterly WIP Reports.

Key Skills & Experience:

• Member of the RTPI.
• A degree in Planning, or a related discipline.
• Experience in a planning consultancy, or a similar role (minimum of 2 years for Senior Planner, 5 years for Consultant and Principal Consultant).
• Experience in writing appeal statements and attending hearings.
• Strong knowledge of UK planning legislation, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Planning Practice Guidance.
• Ability to research planning constraints and interpret planning data.
• Experience of reviewing Local Plan policy and providing sound advice to clients.
• Experience in preparing planning statements, pre-application advice requests.
• Experience of preparing local plan representations.
• Experience in preparing site appraisals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to clients, stakeholders and local authorities.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work collaboratively within a team.

Why Join Us?

• Join a supportive and expert team of planners and heritage professionals.
• A positive and sociable working environment.
• A broad range of clients and projects - both in terms of sectors and geographic areas.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
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